St. James Place Retirement Community

10/16/2026

Let the Mah Jongg fun begin! A big thank-you to Faith Ourso and Kay Callendar for leading the first class in our six-week American Mah Jongg series for residents at St. James Place!
Our residents had a wonderful time learning the game, exploring the tiles, and getting their first taste of this exciting pastime. There were plenty of new things to learn, a few heads left spinning, and lots of enthusiasm for what’s to come! We’re already looking forward to next week’s class as our residents continue building their skills, making connections, and enjoying the fun of learning something new together. Thank you, Faith and Kay, for sharing your knowledge and making this such a fun experience!

10/14/2026

Camellia Season Has Started at St. James Place!
Our first open camellia blossom of the season was spotted on October 10, 2026! So far, we’ve found just one, though others may have discovered more. Either way, this seems like an especially early start to the season!
Our Camellia Garden is home to more than 40 trees and numerous varieties of camellias. Each tree has its own identification sign, making it fun to discover the different blooms. Our first blossom is a Camellia japonica, ‘Dr. John D. Bell”, growing on tree #7!
Where to find the garden: Look across the street from the Butterfly Garden. The paved path leading to the Walmart Gate runs along one edge of the garden.
The camellia season typically continues through January, so there are plenty of beautiful blooms to look forward to in the coming months.

10/12/2026

Elvis has left the building… but what an unforgettable performance at St. James Place!
Our residents were thrilled to welcome back resident favorite Nick Perkins, who brought the magic of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll to life with an incredible performance celebrating Elvis Presley’s greatest hits! From powerful vocals to iconic moves, Nick delivered an afternoon filled with music, memories, and plenty of rock ’n’ roll.
A multi-award-winning Elvis Tribute Artist, Nick has been honoring Elvis’s legendary legacy since age 16. His impressive achievements include winning the prestigious Tupelo Elvis Festival, earning a Top 5 finish at Graceland’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, and being crowned the 2025 Images of the King World Champion in Las Vegas!
Thank you, Nick, for sharing your incredible talent with our residents!

10/07/2026

For the past several weeks, a group of Black Vultures has been making regular appearances around St. James Place - and our resident photographer, John Hartgerink, has been there to capture them! John first spotted the group on September 19. He’s typically seen one to four vultures at a time, including what appear to be two adults and two juveniles - possibly a family with this year’s young. They’ve been remarkably comfortable around people, often allowing John and others to get surprisingly close. At first, they were frequently seen hanging out on the bench along the lake, even calmly staying put as people, and even dogs, passed by. More recently, they’ve taken to perching on the roof of the gazebo, giving everyone a great view of our newest feathered residents.
A big thank-you to John for sharing these wonderful photos and his observations with us.
And with Halloween just around the corner… maybe they are getting ready?!? 🎃

10/05/2026

Today at St. James Place, we gathered to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with our beloved pets. Fr. Patrick blessed our dogs and cats - both those with us today and those we lovingly remember who have passed away.
A special thank you to Mrs. Commander for making gift bags for all of our furry friends, and thank you to the Garden Club members for making the garden perfect for the day! What a thoughtful way to make the blessing even more special.
We are grateful for the joy, companionship, and unconditional love our pets bring into our lives. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us and for all of God’s creatures!

09/25/2026

St. James Place team members attended the 2026 LCTC Foundation Impact Awards Celebration in New Orleans to receive the 2026 Curt Eysink Excellence in Workforce Development Award from the LCTC Foundation.
Nominated by Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC), this statewide honor recognizes meaningful leadership in advancing education and workforce development across Louisiana - and reflects the lasting impact of the partnership between St. James Place and BRCC.
Together, St. James Place and BRCC have created a meaningful pathway for students preparing to serve older adults with skill, dignity, and compassion. Through scholarship support and a realistic learning environment, students gain valuable experience while preparing for careers in senior care.
What makes this recognition especially meaningful is the heart behind the partnership: creating an environment where education, workforce development, and compassionate care come together.
We’re grateful to BRCC and the LCTC Foundation for recognizing this work and proud to support the next generation of professionals serving Louisiana’s seniors.

09/24/2026

Today, we celebrated Mother Joan Weber and her retirement from St. James Place.
Mother Joan has been such a meaningful part of our community, and while we are so happy to celebrate this next chapter with her, we will certainly miss her presence, care, and ministry at St. James Place.
As we say thank you and farewell to Mother Joan, we are also excited to welcome Father Patrick Edwards, who will be taking over as our chaplain.
Please join us in thanking Mother Joan for all she has given to our St. James Place family and in welcoming Father Patrick!
Congratulations, Mother Joan, and welcome, Father Patrick!

09/22/2026

We are proud to celebrate the first team members selected to receive the St. James Place CNA Scholarship in partnership with Baton Rouge Community College.
At St. James Place, we believe in supporting and encouraging our team members as they pursue their personal and professional goals. The St. James Place CNA Scholarship Program is one way we are investing in the success of our team while helping strengthen the healthcare workforce in the Baton Rouge community.
Through this partnership with BRCC, scholarship recipients will complete six weeks of on-site Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training at Baton Rouge Community College, followed by a week of clinical training at St. James Place. This unique opportunity combines classroom education with hands-on experience in a senior living environment.
We are grateful to Baton Rouge Community College for being a valued educational partner and for its commitment to working with local employers to create opportunities for individuals to learn, grow, and succeed.
Please join us in congratulating our first CNA Scholarship recipients as they receive their acceptance letters and take this exciting next step toward advancing their healthcare careers!

09/21/2026

What is life really like at St. James Place? Don’t take our word for it - ask the people who live here.
We sat down with seven St. James Place residents to hear what they really think about life in our Baton Rouge community.
From making lifelong friends and discovering new hobbies to enjoying beautiful walking trails and the peace of mind that comes with Life Care, their stories offer a glimpse into what makes St. James Place feel like home.
One resident put it simply: “It’s the biggest gift you could give yourself.”
Read their stories and discover what everyday life is really like at St. James Place.
Read the full story: https://stjamesplace.org/what-life-is-really-like-at-st-james-place-7-residents-share-their-stories/

Wondering what daily life looks like in a senior living community? Hear from 7 St. James Place residents about friendship, freedom, and feeling at home in Baton Rouge.

09/18/2026

We loved having Hillar Moore join us for Celebrity Bingo! Thank you, Hillar, for calling our numbers and making it such a fun time! We are grateful for your time, energy, and support of our community.